Suspension. Review the 154 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 138 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 98 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

29 crash reports14 fire reports13 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

15 reports

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Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2024

Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed ControlInjury

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A few times I have pressed the brakes when coming to a red light and stop signs But instead of my vehicle stopping it propelled me forward as it excellerated out of no where and pushed me into oncoming traffic, I almost was hit by other cars and I almost hit other cars and even have had to swerve onto the side walk to prevent myself from getting g hit by another car. If there were people walking, I would have definitely hit them! When I press the brake, I’m not expecting to accelerate instead Also apparently this recall of this issue was already done back in 2005 but i just purchased this vehicle in the fall of 2023 And the dealer says there is no recall since it’s already been fixed by the previous owner years ago But it needs to be fixed as it’s still doing it to me

NHTSA ODI #11566969

230,000 miles · Dec 10, 2018

Unknown Or OtherFire

ON THURSDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2018, I PARKED MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE LTD IN A PARKING-LOT AND WENT INTO MY OFFICE. WITHIN ONE HOUR, A FIRE BEGAN IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT QUICKLY SPREAD TO THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS DETERMINED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY.

NHTSA ODI #11157313

128,000 miles · Sep 24, 2018

StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

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WHEN HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD, CAR PULLS SIDEWAVS. GOT CHECKED OUT. THEY FOUND EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON ENGINE CRADLE AND STEERING COMPONENTS WERE LOOSE AND AFFECTED BY EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON ENGINE CRADLE. STABILIZER ROD IS ALMOST READY TO FALL OFF. THEY ADVISED US NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL ALL COMPONENTS ARE REPAIRED. STEERING IS ERRATIC AND TIRES SQUEAL WHEN TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT.THERE IS A RECALL FOR 386,000 OF THESE VEHICLES IN ROAD SALT STATES. WE LIVE IN ONE OF THEM, MICHIGAN. WHEN FORD PUT THE CAR ON THE RACK, THEY SAID SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG: THAT THE WHEELS WERE BOWED OUT.BOUGHT CAR FROM FORD AFTER A 3-YEAR LEASE WAS OVER. NO PROBLEMS TIL NOW. THE CAR IS NOW 14 YEARS OLD, MILEAGE IS APPRX. 128,000.

NHTSA ODI #11130904

183,000 miles · Sep 14, 2018

Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or OtherFire

THE VEHICLE WAS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. IT WAS PARKED ON THE STREET, EVERYTHING WAS TURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING. I WAS IN WORK WHEN I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. NOTHING WAS ON TO START THIS FIRE, IT HAPPENED SPONTANEOUSLY. THE FIRE SEEMS TO HAVE STARTED IN THE VICINITY OF THE DRIVERS SIDE ENGINE BAY. PR…

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NHTSA ODI #11129616

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2018

Unknown Or Other

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ON DECEMBER 2, 2016 I BOUGHT A 2004 FORD ESCAPE FROM CAR HOP IN TACOMA, WA. WITH A $ 800 DOLLAR DOWN PAYMENT.AFTER ABOUT 3 MONTHS THE CAR STARTED OVERHEATING. HAD IT FLUSHED. SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. STARTED AGAIN IN FEB OF 2017. TOOK IT INTO A SHOP OF CAR HOPS AND THEY SAID IT WAS WATER PUMP. WENT BACK TO HAVE REPLACED AND WAS TOLD THEY NO LONGER WORKED WITH CAR HOP. I NEED MY CAR FOR WORK I AM A CAREGIVER SO MY CAR IS NEEDED. WELL I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A SHOP TOWARDS THE END OF MAY OF THIS YEAR, THE SHOP WAS A AND M AUTOMOTIVE. I PAIDED 533.69 TO GET WATER PUMP PUT IN. PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED. STILL OVER HEATING THEY SAID IT WAS A HEAD GASKET AND NEEDED A NEW ENGINE CAR TOWED BACK HOME SET THERE FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND HALF. ON JUNE 7TH HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MEINEKE, BECAUSE CAR HOP WORKS WITH THEM. IN THE MIST OF ALL THIS FROM THE START I CALLED CAR HOP AND TOLD THEM TO COME GET THE CAR I WAS NOT PAYING FOR SOMETHING THAT DOES NOT RUN. THIS IT TOOK 3 OR 4 TIMES TO GET TO THEM BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT COMMUNICATE. I WAS 130 LATE FROM MY MAY 15TH PAYMENT. THY KEPT ASKING FOR THAT NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT REPAIRS. FINALLY, AFTER A WEEK THEY HAD MT TOW THE CAR TO MEINEKE ON JUNE 7TH. WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE UP TO 48 HOURS TO GET AN ESTIMATE. WELL AFTER 4 DAYS I CALLED THEM AND THEY SAID THEY STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE ESTIMATE BUT CONTINUED ASKING FOR THE 130 AND STILL HAVE NOT APPLIED THE 533 TO MY ACCOUNT. CALLED AGAIN AFTER 2 DAYS SAME THING. ON JUNE 18TH I CALLED MEINEKE AND GOT ESTIMATE WITHIN 15 MINS. I EMAILED IT TO CAR HOP, NOW THEY ARE SAYING THEY NOT APPLYING THE 533 AND DID NOT DECIDE WHAT TO DO. PLUS, THEY ARE SAYING THEY WON'T HELP BECAUSE IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THEY KNEW THIS FROM THE DAY I TOLD THEM TO COME GET IT. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD HELP GET FIXED. I HAVE RECEIVED NOTHING BUT LIE AFTER LIE, POOR POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. PLEASE HELP ME

NHTSA ODI #11103928

143,400 miles · Apr 2, 2018

Air BagsUnknown Or Other

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IT SEEMS ONE DAY I NOTICED MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON. IT IS USUALLY ON CONSTANTLY OR BLINKING. I AM NOT SURE WHY IT STAYS ON. I SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE AIRBAGS ON THIS SITE. I WISH I KNEW THIS PROBLEM PRIOR TO PURCHASING THIS CAR. I ALSO JUST RECENTLY HAD THE HOOD RELEASE CABLE BREAK ON ME. CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DON'T MAKE THEM ANYMORE. GREAT! WONDERFUL! WHEN I WENT TO THE PARTS STORE THE COUNTER PERSON SAID THAT THIS WAS THE 5TH FORD HOOD RELEASE THAT THEY HAD PEOPLE LOOKING FOR IN LESS THAN A MONTH. IS THERE SOME KIND OF RECALL FOR THE HOOD RELEASE CABLE? SHOULD THERE BE??

NHTSA ODI #11082497

127,000 miles · Jan 15, 2018

Unknown Or Other

THE BACK LATCH TO THE WIDOWS FELL OFF. NOT SAFE! WAS NOT MOVING, PARKED.

NHTSA ODI #11062760

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2017

Unknown Or Other

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I BELIEVE I HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF ODOMETER FRAUD. I PURCHASED MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE XLT FROM FIRST CHOICE RENTAL CARS & SALES 3517 OLD PETERSBURG RD MARTINEZ GA 30907. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR $4700 IN CASH. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THROUGH CARFAX THAT I AM THE 4TH OWNER AND THE ODOMETER WAS PREVIOUSLY AT 186,475. MY CAR ODOMETER IS CURRENTLY READING AT 147,355 AND COUNTING BECAUSE I DRIVE THIS CAR DAILY. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE BILL OF SALE DID NOT HAVE THE MILEAGE ON IT, THE BILL STATED EXEMPT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW CAN I GET MY MONEY BACK FOR THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IF I WOULD HAVE KNOW THE ODOMETER HAD BEEN ROLLED BACK.

NHTSA ODI #11002906

188,259 miles · Mar 13, 2017

Unknown Or Other

DANGEROUS FAILURE OF MY CAR FRAME, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A PUBLIC ROAD. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED AFTER THE FRAME PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AND REMEDIED A FEW YEARS EARLIER. IT WAS A SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WHERE IT MEETS THE FRAME. VERY SCARY.

NHTSA ODI #10960419

135,004 miles · Jul 21, 2016

Unknown Or Other

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IN APRIL 2016, I PURCHASED A USED 2004 FORD ESCAPE WITH APPROXIMATELY 130,000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE HAD A RECENT STATE INSPECTION STICKER VERIFYING THAT IT PASSED ALL STATE SAFETY STANDARDS. HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING THE ESCAPE FOR ONLY A FEW DAYS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD QUIT RUNNING PROPERLY AND STALL. THIS WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTINGLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND OTHER TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY COULD NOT PROPERLY DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY OF THE STALLING ISSUE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NO LONGER COMES ON, BUT THE STALLING PROBLEM KEEPS GETTING WORSE. MY SPOUSE NO LONGER DRIVES THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES OF STALLING ON THE HIGHWAYS AND IT STORE PARKING LOTS. ON JULY 21, 2016, I DROVE THE ESCAPE FOR A 200 MILE ROUND-TRIP. DURING THE FIRST 100 MILES, GOING TO THE DESTINATION, THE VEHICLE RAN GREAT WITHOUT A SINGLE PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY, DURING THE RETURN TRIP HOME, I BECAME SCARED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY STALLING IN 4 LANES OF INTERSTATE TRAFFIC THAT WAS TRAVELING AT 55+ MILES PER HOUR'AND I HAD TO TRY RESTARTING MY VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE TRAVELING IN NEUTRAL IN THE MIDDLE OF 4 LANES OF INTERSTATE TRAFFIC. I PLAN TO BRING OUR VEHICLE BACK TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, SO THEY CAN TRY TO PROPERLY ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE'HOPEFULLY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT ACCIDENTALLY WITH THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. UNFORTUNATELY, DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE. I HAVE READ SEVERAL ARTICLES ONLINE ABOUT THIS INTERMITTENT STALLING PROBLEM WITH ESCAPES AND REALIZE THAT THE STALLING PROBLEM IS QUITE PREVALENT. PERSONALLY, I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD, WITH A SAFETY RECALL DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10887605

Official recalls

15V606000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Sep 29, 2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

14V165000 · Structure:frame And Members

Apr 2, 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S02.

12V353000 · Engine And Engine Cooling; Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Jul 26, 2012

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began August 3, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-August 2012. Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began August 3, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-August 2012. Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

07V156000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Apr 10, 2007

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE MODULE CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MIGHT CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND IN SOME CASES, THE MODULE MAY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN BURNING ODOR, SMOKE, AND/OR FIRE. THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR EITHER WHEN THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION OR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE ABS MODULE FOR MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS, AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE HARNESS CONNECTOR AS APPROPRIATE. THE DEALER WILL ALSO INSPECT THE CONNECTOR ON THE ABS MODULE AND REPLACE IT IF IT IS FOUND TO BE CORRODED OR DAMAGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

04V602000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Dec 20, 2004

CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

04V574000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Dec 7, 2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 10, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

DP12005 · Cruise Control Cable

Opened Jul 17, 2012 · Closed Jul 17, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal; Vehicle Speed Control:cables; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control; Vehicle Speed Control:linkages; Vehicle Speed Control:springs

On July 8, 2012, The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on Model Year (MY) 2002 ? 2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.The Center for Auto Safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether Ford Motor Company (Ford) and Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in certain Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles.The petitions to open investigations are denied as unnecessary and the petitions to conduct hearingsare denied.ODI IDs referenced above are: 10109921, 10116267, 10116574,10121108, 10125928, 10128545, 10130133,10137520, 10153327, 10155295, 10155817, 10159048, 10164205, 10165007, 10177337, 10184382, 10195378,10199728, 10201424, 10203178, 10204179, 10207677, 10214472, 10218668, 10222869, 10229600, 10255417,10256387, 10258046, 10259777, 10260591, 10266150, 10273613, 10291508, 10303282, 10303434, 10316154,10321828, 10323339, 10325817, 10331278, 10334038, 10335779, 10341773, 10342450, 10345004, 10363982,10370338, 10379444, 10432635, 10451652, 10466261, 891605, 10053779, 10125132, 10146998, 10149101,10160004, 10161052, 10170988, 10178811, 10204780, 10215610, 10222996, 10239609, 10252790, 10253666,10262773, 10264280, 10280669, 10289784, 10294932, 10312464, 10316440, 10343662, 10354530, 10413665,10461195

Additional source detail variants (6)

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

Vehicle Speed Control

Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

Vehicle Speed Control:springs

PE12019 · Stuck Throttle

Opened Jul 17, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:cables; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

In a letter dated July 25, 2012 Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.The vehicles involved are model year (MY) 2001 through MY 2004 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed (cruise) control.A redesigned engine cover was implemented in production beginning in MY 2005, which provided additional clearance of the speed control cable to the engine cover.Similarly on July 26, 2012 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) on behalf of Mazda Motor Corporation of Hiroshima, Japan submitted a DIR to NHTSA, NHTSA Recall No. 12V-357, identifying the safety defect described above in MY 2001 through MY 2006 and MY 2008 Mazda Tribute vehicles (no Tribute vehicles were produced in MY 2007) equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control.Unlike the Ford Escape recall scope, the Mazda Tribute scope is broader as Mazda Tribute vehicles incorporated a similar engine cover design as related to the clearance to the speed control cable in MYs 2001 through 2006 and MY 2008.The failure report summary above reflects reports identified by ODI in review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and reports submitted to Ford and to Mazda.ODI identified 44 reports likely related to the safety defect described in the DIRs; 39 involving Ford Escape vehicles and 5 involving Mazda Tribute vehicles. This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10116267, 10128545, 10128681, 10137520, 10153327, 10165007, 10199728, 10234846, 10335779, 10466261, and 10468307.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

Vehicle Speed Control

AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.

EA10002 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Jan 14, 2010 · Closed Feb 29, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Ford and Mazda recalled model year (MY) 2001 through 2004 Ford Escape (07V-156) and Mazda Tribute (07V-157) vehicles due to non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating in the engine compartment at or near the ABS control module.Approximately 545,700 vehicles were subject to the initial safety recalls and approximately 424,700 vehicles were serviced under those campaigns. The campaigns addressed potentially damaged, missing or misplaced seals in the ABS control module wiring harness electrical connector that could allow brake fluid to enter the connector, possibly resulting in corrosion, short-circuit, melting, smoke and/or fire.Since the recall, the agency is aware of 260 subject vehicles that have reportedly experienced non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating at or near the ABS control module in vehicles some time after being serviced under the campaign. The post-recall repair incident rates for MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles are 90.9 and 126.7 (normalized per 100,000 vehicles serviced under the recall campaigns), respectively.These rates are much higher than the post-recall repair incident rate for MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles, which are 5.0 and 3.7 per 100K, respectively.Similarly, the post-recall repair key-off fire incident rates in the MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles is 54.3 per 100K, compared to 0.5 per 100K for the MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles.The agency is aware of 12 key-off fire incidents, all involving MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles, where the vehicle was parked inside a structure when the fire started.In five of those incidents, the fire spread from the vehicle to the structure itself.Ford has identified the brake master cylinder reservoir cap in certain MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles as a potential source for brake fluid leaks that could affect ABS module connector integrity.The reservoir caps used on the MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles are reportedly an improved design from those used on the earlier models.By letter dated January 4, 2012, Ford notified the agency that it would conduct another safety recall (identified by NTHSA Recall No. 12V-005 and Ford Recall No. 11S24) of certain MY 2001 and 2002 Ford Escape vehicles to perform a more thorough remedy to address the risk of fire originating at the ABS control module.In addition to double-checking the ABS control module wiring harness electrical connector weather seal (which should have been addressed under the previous recall campaign), Ford will replace brake master cylinder reservoir caps to address the leaking cap problem and reduce the risk of brake fluid entering the subject electrical connector.Ford will also modify the electrical system such that the ABS control module is de-energized when the ignition key is switched off to further reduce the risk of an unattended vehicle fire in units that may have sustained some small loss of connector integrity that may not be evident upon visual examination.Similarly, Mazda notified the agency by letter dated January 19, 2012, that it would also conduct a safety recall (identified by NTHSA Recall No. 12V-016 and Mazda Recall No. 6712A) of certain MY 2001 and 2002 Mazda Tribute vehicles.Ford estimates repair parts will be available beginning the second quarter of 2012. Until recall repairs are made both Ford and Mazda are advising owners of affected vehicles to reduce the safety concern by parking their vehicles outdoors away from structures to prevent a potential fire from spreading.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

RQ09002 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Apr 15, 2009 · Closed Jan 15, 2010

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

IN LETTERS DATED MARCH 30, 2007, FORD MOTOR COMPANY (FORD) AND MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS (MAZDA) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT THEY WILL CONDUCT RECALLS 07V-156 AND 07V-157, RESPECTIVELY, TO REMEDY A SAFETY DEFECT THAT MAY RESULT IN FIRE IN A WIRING CONNECTOR USED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPE AND MAZDA TRIBUTE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS.THE RECALL CAMPAIGN PRESCRIBES AN INSPECTION OF THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, WHICH SHALL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED ONLY IF NECESSARY.IF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE PASSES THE VISUAL INSPECTION THEN THE RECALL INSTRUCTS THE TECHNICIAN TO APPLY ELECTRICAL GREASE (FORD PART NUMBER XG-12) TO THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR AND VERIFY SYSTEM OPERATION.TO DATE, APPROXIMATELY 388,500 SUBJECT VEHICLES (71.7% OF THE TOTAL RECALL POPULATION) HAVE BEEN SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHICH (373,985) PASSED THE VISUAL INSPECTION AND RECEIVED ONLY THE ELECTRICAL GREASE APPLIED TO THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR. THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF AT LEAST 86 UNIQUE SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT HAVE REPORTEDLY EXPERIENCED NON-CRASH FIRE INCIDENTS ORIGINATING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT OR NEAR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE SOME TIME AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER THE SUBJECT RECALL.THE MANUFACTURER HAS PROVIDED SOME INFORMATION THAT INDICATES CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE IMPROPERLY SERVICED UNDER THE SUBJECT RECALL AS EVIDENCED BY THE FACTORY WIRE TIE-WRAP NOT BEING REMOVED FROM THE WIRING HARNESS (WHICH INDICATES A PROPER INSPECTION COULD NOT HAVE BEEN PERFORMED) AND BY INCORRECT GREASE BEING APPLIED, INCORRECT AMOUNTS OF GREASE, AND EVEN INSTANCES WHERE NO GREASE WAS APPLIED TO THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR.ALSO, THERE REMAIN SOME QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SEVERITY OF THE REPORTED FIRE INCIDENTS.THE MANUFACTURER CONTENDS THAT MOST REPORTED FIRES WERE ACTUALLY NON-FIRE THERMAL EVENTS WITH DAMAGE LIMITED TO THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS AND THAT MOST VEHICLES ARE REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO SERVICE.HOWEVER, THE TREND APPEARS TO BE ONGOING WITH 5 REPORTED INCIDENTS HAVING OCCURRED IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS.ACCORDINGLY, THIS RECALL QUERY HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RECALL REMEDY.

DP09003 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Apr 14, 2009 · Closed Apr 15, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION DATED MARCH 5, 2009 ALLEGING THAT THE PETITIONER NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY FOR 07V-156 AND THAT, AS A RESULT, THE PETITIONER'S MY2003 FORD ESCAPE CAUGHT FIRE AT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE.IN RESPONSE TO ODI FOLLOW-UP, THE MANUFACTURER VERIFIED THAT THE PETITIONER'S VEHICLE HAD IN FACT RECEIVED SERVICE RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL 07V156 - A FACT LATER CORROBORATED BY THE PETITIONER.CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE FIRE EXPERIENCED IN THE PETITIONER'S REMEDIED VEHICLE INDICATE THAT THE REMEDY WAS INEFFECTIVE.ADDITIONAL REVIEW BY ODI IDENTIFIED AN ADDITIONAL 6 SIMILAR (ALLEGED TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT OR NEAR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ) NON-CRASH FIRE INCIDENTS IN SUBJECT VEHICLES KNOWN TO HAVE RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY.ACCORDINGLY, A RECALL QUERY (RQ09-002) HAS BEEN OPENED TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RECALL REMEDY.

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